Looks

Ageless Beauty

Get inspired with a self-made makeover.

by Judy Greene

As retired educators, it must be a relief not to be standing before 30 or more pairs of eyes each day, yet there are still times when you want to look your best—speaking at local meetings, volunteering at your local school, or maybe attending a wedding or reunion.

Whatever the occasion, the right makeup can add polish to your look, and you don’t need to spend a lot of money or time to get it.

Your makeup bag may already contain concealer, foundation, and lipstick, but have you updated your look lately? The same lipstick you wore when your hair was deep brunette might not work if you’ve gone gray. Take advantage of department store cosmetic counters—many will provide a free makeup lesson with no obligation to buy anything. They can help you find colors that flatter your complexion and style.

If you like what you see, consider splurging on an item or two, then see if you can find similar products for less elsewhere. Drugstore cosmetics have come a long way, and you may find similar quality products for less.

The simple essentials

After you’ve refreshed your makeup bag, the following should get you on your way.

Cleanse your face twice a day—in the morning and evening. After cleansing, use a moisturizer containing an SPF for daytime, and at night apply a moisturizer with nourishing vitamins.

Use a concealer to cover blemishes or dark spots on your face and around your eyes. Followed by a lightweight foundation or tinted moisturizer for a smooth finish.

Eyebrows get thinner as you age, and if you’re coloring your hair, they probably aren’t matching up. There are new eyebrow products that come with a mascara-like wand that you simply brush on. One such product is Anastasia Tinted Brow Gel, which comes in a variety of colors.

Use eye shadow tones that suit your style and activity for the day. Neutral colors like taupe are universally flattering. Or, skip the eye shadow and use a waterproof eyeliner or mascara. Mascara can help make you look alert, even if you’re not feeling that way.

Apply blush to the apple of your cheeks in soft-upward strokes towards your cheek bones. Blending is the key to perfect application for a natural look. Peachy-pink tones are flattering to most skin tones and ethnicities.

Apply a thin coat of lip balm, followed by lip liner (optional), then lipstick.

Bonus tip: Lip-gloss applied alone or over lipstick gives the illusion of a fuller lip.

Tips for saving on cosmetics

Visit your local makeup counter and inquire about what beauty reward programs they offer. Such programs reward customers with coupons, discounts, and points (to redeem for deluxe size samples) for frequent buyers. You may even receive a gift on your birthday.

Has your favorite lipstick been discontinued? Check out www.overstockcosmetics.com, and you may find it at a fraction of the price you’re used to paying.

And those makeup bonus kits that come with expensive department store cosmetic purchases? They are sometimes available on Amazon.com in the beauty section for a fraction of what you’d pay for the individual items.

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